4 ment; or in other words, by the universal diffusion of true religion. Plainly therefore it must be introduced, by an universal dissemination of the means of grace, accompanied by the promised Spirit and blessing of God. How can true religion be rendered universal, except through the instrumentality of appointed means? And how can means render it universal, unless accompanied by the influences of the Holy Spirit? This, it will be recollected, is the way, in which true religion ever has been, and is, extended. The gospel is preached; the Bible and other religious books are read; the light of Divine truth is scattered ; the various means of grace are used; and through the accompanying power of Divine grace, they are made effectual to salvation. Why then shall we not believe that the religion of the gospel will continue to be spread, and will at length become universal in the same way? Indeed, there appears to me no other way in which it can be spread. "How shall any call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ?" True religion consists essentially in holy exercises of heart. But every such exercise implies a motive, or means. To attempt therefore to promote religion without a use of appointed means would be an attempt to excite and diffuse holy exercises without motives. It would be an attempt, I do not say to work a miracle, but to perform a natural impossibility. And the attempt to promote religion by means, without the influences of the Holy Spirit, would be little better,-Accordingly we find it represented in the Scriptures, that the universal prevalence and triumph of our religion are to be brought about by the continued use of means, and the accompanying operations of the Spirit of God. ་ "This gospel of the kingdom must first be preached among all nations." "I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." "It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh."-I think therefore we have abundant evidence, as to the manner in which the Millenium will be introduced. It will be introduced, not by miracles, but means-by an universal dissemination of the means of grace, attended by the promised Spirit and blessing of God. I come now to the third general proposition, in which I am to offer several remarks relative to the time when the Millenium may be expected to com mence. Different periods have been fixed on by different conjecturers and calculators, for the commencement of this desired and happy state of the Church. I will not however detain you a moment, to examine the evidence in favor of each, or either, of these periods, or so much as to state what periods they are. On a subject which has led to so much, I had almost said, idle speculation, I shall confine myself to such views and remarks as will be deemed indisputably, if not self-evidently, just.-And if what has been said is true, I consider it as in a sense submitted to the Christian world, at what period the Millenium shall commence. The time for this event, as well as for every other, we know is fixed in the immutable counsels of heaven; yet as means are necessary for the introduction of the Millenium, why may it not be said of this, with as much propriety as of any thing for the accomplishment of which human means are necessary, that it is referred to Christians to say, when the appointed means shall be used, and when of course the desired end shall be realized? We have seen, that the Millenial state of the Church and world will be distinguished by the universal prevalence of true religion; and will be ushered in by a general diffusion of the means of grace, accompanied by the promised aids and influences of the Holy Spirit. Obviously therefore the Millenium will commence, when the means of grace are thus generally diffused, and when the Holy Spirit begins to be. poured out upon all flesh. When the Bible has been/ translated into every tongue, been borne by the heralds of mercy to every land, and circulated in sufficient numbers among all people-when public teachers of religion have been raised up, and sent forth, till the pure doctrines of Jesus are proclaimed over all the world, and to every creature-when the ordinances and institutions of the gospel are universally known and established, and their benign influence upon the aged and the young begins to be feltwhen the means of grace, thus diffused, are accom- › panied every where (as doubtless they will be) with the promised influences of the Holy Spirit, and the incense of an acceptable worship is seen to ascend from every portion of the habitable globe ;-then, my, brethren, and never till then, can the Millenial state and glory of the Church be said to have commenced. As this happy period is to be introduced by the universal diffusion and prospering of the means of grace, it certainly cannot commence before they are thus. diffused and rendered successful; and to suppose it may commence afterwards, is to suppose it to have a beginning, when its glory and blessings have already visited the world. I know it will be thought, and justly too, that this is saying very little on the subject.-But, my friends, is it not saying all that can at present be certainly known-and all that it is best should be known? The prophecies of Scripture were not designed to make prophets of us. It was not their design, to enable the commentator to read through them a detailed account of the future, and thus fix upon " the times and the seasons, which the Father hatli" wisely" placed in his own power." It would be easy to speculate on the subject before us, and in this way to excite and perhaps gratify a vain curiosity; but must not such a course be necessarily unprofitable? As it seems to me, any attempt to determine the time when the Millenium will commence, farther than has been done in these remarks, is not only an unwarrantable intermeddling with things not clearly revealed, but of dangerous and paralizing influence upon the energies of the Church. For if the period fixed upon is very near, the impression will obtain at once, "There must be miracles; and if God is pleased to introduce the Millenium by miracles, he may very well dispense with our co-operation." Or if the period fixed upon is considerably remote, a drowsy Church will be liable to say, "The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. We may safely suspend our efforts for the present. If we attempt any thing now, the good will all be lost before the Millenium arrives. A little more sleep, a little more slumber, a little more folding of the hands to sleep." It is vain, my brethren, to expect the Millenium one moment sooner, or later, than has been pointed out in this discourse. When, by the energies, sacrifices, and prayers of God's people, the means of grace shall have been universally diffused, and shal be attended every where with the promised aids of the Holy Spirit; then will the Millenial morning be revealed, and the predicted triumphs of the Church will be realized. REFLECTIONS. It has been mentioned as a distinguishing characteristick of the Millenial state, that the religion of Christ will then be universal. We may learn, I think, from this, the power and excellence of our holy religion.—That period of which we are speaking, is uniformly represented in the Scriptures, and in the common language of Christians, as a season of superior earthly happiness. Mankind "shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in sure dwellings, and quiet resting places. They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall sit every man under his vine, and under his figtree, and none shall make them afraid. They shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before them into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Most of the causes of misery and ruin, which have so long been afflicting and ravaging the guilty earth, will then cease to operate. False and cruel systems of religion will be exploded; the bloody altars of superstition and idolatry will be overturned; vice will have no victims; strife and discord will come to an end; and the roots of bitterness will spring and grow no more. The trump of war will cease to rally the angry nations; there will no longer be witnessed the carnage of battle, or "garments rolled in blood." Peace and plenty, mutual affection, |